CHAPTER 8

Audrey's Pov

We settled on having breakfast and my supposed doting husband sat beside me, Amelia looked red and angry while her mother just glared at my soul from across the table.

They probably wished I was dead now, unfortunately, I don't plan on joining my mother anytime soon.

I'm still stunned by the stunt Xander pulled out in front of them, not that I do not appreciate it but we never really discussed anything like getting intimate.

My father sitting at the head of the table cleared his throat and everyone diverted their attention toward him, my stepmother wore a concerned look but I knew it was fake.

“Are you alright Dad?” I asked and he nodded waving it off in a dismissive manner, I beckoned at a maid standing on the threshold of the kitchen.

“Is there enough milk? Bring some for my father” I ordered and she rushed to go get some milk, my stepmother was still glaring at me like I did something wrong but I just ignored her.

“You didn't have to, I'm not going to die anytime soon so stop worrying about me,” My father said gruffly, I averted my gaze from him and my eyes met with Amelia's.

“If I don't worry about you who else will, I'm not comfortable with leaving you alone here” I enunciated.

I do not trust my stepmother not to do something while I'm gone and my father will be her perfect target, she knows it will hurt me and she couldn't care less because it's no secret that my father doesn't love her.

The only woman he ever loved died and she is just here to take care of him, and he is generous enough to let her bring her bastard child here.

Amelia desperately needed to be humbled that was why I said those words earlier, I know how much it upsets her and I can still tell she hasn't gotten over the fact that Eric isn't her real father.

A useless girl with daddy issues.

“I asked us to have breakfast together so we can break bread and settle our differences over breakfast,” Eric looked pleased with himself by the time he finished and I simply rolled my eyes.

“Thank you for letting me join you, Sir, I appreciate your hospitality” Xander expressed coldly beside me and I remembered he was there, my father waved off his gratitude and Amelia's grip on her bread knife tightened.

“And suddenly you are comfortable with seeing my father because you decided to get married to my useless elder sister” She voiced out all of a sudden and I chuckled.

“The only useless one I see here is you, Sissy” I reached for the jar of jam but Xander got it for me instead, I ignored the funny feeling I felt at the pit of my stomach when his fingers brushed mine.

What in the world is wrong with me? This is all for show and he is doing pretty good at convincing them we are married.

“That is enough now, both of you” Eric groaned and my heart pounded on my chest when he started coughing.

“Are you alright?” I stood up from my chair and rushed to his side but Amelia beat me to it because she was sitting close to him, he held up his hand as a sign that he was fine but I wasn't getting any of that.

There was something wrong with him, my father might not be too healthy but he wasn't this sick either, the maid came back with the milk and he took a long gulp at it.

I went back to my seat and turned on the gears in my head, “We will be on our way now, Sir” Xander announced and I glared at him as he took my hand. Zachary who was sitting at the edge of the table scoffed as I stood up.

I didn't have time for his stupidity so I just let it slide, we walked out of the house and I stopped as soon as we were out of sight.

“What do you think you are doing?” I demanded angrily, he just made me look like I was running away, he sighed and tucked his hands in his pockets.

“Can't you see they are baiting you, they want you to act ill-mannered. Your father needs a caretaker too” He stated and I arched my brows, “He already has one, he has a lot not just one” I frowned when I saw Amelia coming out of the house, as usual, Zachary was following her like a puppy.

“What do we have here, my slutty sister and my ex-boyfriend” She scoffed and I could hear the pain in her voice.

Was she in love with Xander? Or is she just hurt that he refused to give in to her whims?

Good. Cause I intend to make it hurt the same way she and Zachary hurt me, “I can buy a lot of tissues for you, you'll be needing it Sissy” I mocked and Zachary glares at Xander who wore a blank look.

He always makes it hard for you to know what's going on inside his head, “Are you done gloating over your failure, because I have work to do at the office so why don't you go do whatever it is you do, go chew your toys or take a nap after all that wailing you ought to be tired” I commended and she turned red, not waiting for her to make a comeback I veered and took Xander's hand and headed for the car.

After we hopped in the atmosphere was tense and quiet, I badly wanted to say something but I was expecting him to say something first.

“He looks like he will end up in the hospital anytime soon” He stated and I was forced to look at him.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Your father”

My eyes widened as he explained his reason for saying so, “I suggest you do something or hire a new caretaker before it gets out of hand” He advised and I nodded.

He is right, Eric looks pale and I don't know what they feed him with, I missed taking good care of my father but I'm married and I can't stay at his house forever.

I didn't even think this through before I went ahead to get myself married, “Why did you do that back there?” I raised an eyebrow when he feigned ignorance, “What do you mean?”.

“You know what I mean, we aren't an actual couple and you know that” I frowned as he smirked, “Are you saying you are just using me, love?” I shuddered when I heard the nickname, “Am I not?” I glowered at him.

“Oh, I had no idea you were using me” He replied in a blank tone, he didn't say anything to me after that and I knew he was angry or irritated by my behavior.

Forgive me if I do not want to fraternize with my sister's ex the same way she is doing with mine, and I don't know what is his end game in all these.

I ignored the weird feeling of apologizing for what I said, it was rude to say I was using him but I'm trying to set boundaries.

He doesn't want that judging by the way he is always possessive of me in front of my family, I have no interest in falling for a man again, and if it wasn't because of my father's will I wouldn't have bothered to get back at Amelia.

We got to my company and the car came to a screeching halt, I sighed wanting to clear the air but I couldn't say it.

“I will see you later” I mumbled and I didn't wait for a reply before I opened the door and hopped out of the car, I walked into the massive building and the security guards bowed their heads as I passed them.

I went straight to the elevator ignoring everyone I came across, for some reason I felt angry that he didn't reply or say anything to me.

Why do I even care?

My assistant was waiting for me by the time I got to the office, “Good morning ma'am” Anna greeted and bowed slightly while I hung my suit coat on my chair.

“How was your off day?” I asked sincerely curious, like I said before I love relating with my employees.

“It was great, I had a blast with my couch and TV” She beamed and I chuckled shaking my head at her naughtiness.

“So what's my schedule for today?” I asked checking the documents on my desk, my father owns Fields Golden Industry and it's the most successful food-producing company in this city and the country at large.

“Um... Boss, there is someone downstairs asking to see you” She said with a frown on her pretty face, I arch my brows.

“Who?”

“Your boyfriend” She replied with a tight smile and my great skipped a beat.

Why did he come back?